Software Engineer, xAI
Distributed Data Systems
$180-440k
+ Equity
Office located in Palo Alto, CA
Building artificial intelligence
Be an early applicant
Building artificial intelligence
1001+ employees
Be an early applicant
$180-440k
+ Equity
Office located in Palo Alto, CA
1001+ employees
Company mission
To build AI systems that can help humanity understand the world better.
Role
Who you are
- We are looking for an engineer with 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, ideally in data engineering or distributed systems
- Hands-on expertise in Python, Rust, Scala, or Java, along with data pipeline tools and distributed systems
- Knowledge of real-time and batch data processing tools such as Spark, Kafka, Flink, SQL, and various storage systems including RDBMS and NoSQL
- Experience solving large-scale problems, with comfort in incremental quality improvements while building entirely new systems to enable future enhancements
- Proven track record of translating product requirements into engineering implementation plans, and effectively communicating across groups (e.g., AI, product, marketing/sales, and engineering)
What the job involves
- As a Software Engineer for Distributed Data Systems on the X product engineering team, you will play a key role in delivering comprehensive data solutions that empower a wide range of stakeholders, from end-users to internal teams like Product, AI, Marketing, Ads, and Sales
- Our work leverages AI, distributed computing, and hybrid storage technologies, while tackling challenges beyond pure data problems to unlock the full potential of data for our diverse user base
- Ideal candidates are passionate about scalable systems, thrive in fast-paced environments, and are eager to drive innovation at the intersection of data and product impact
- You will contribute to the distributed data system that manages hundreds of real-time and batch pipelines, processing billions of events daily
- Our team operates like an internal startup, owning projects that fuel engineering innovation and experimentation
- Rapidly prototyping and building software to improve, automate, or accelerate various internal processes and products
- Passionately transforming large-scale data into meaningful value for users and the business
- Iterating quickly based on feedback, with a strong focus on delivering efficient, accurate, and reliable data solutions
- Adapting swiftly to different toolings, infrastructures, and environments, adjusting solutions as needed
Application process
- After submitting your application, the team will review your CV and statement of exceptional work
- If selected, you'll proceed to a 15-minute initial interview ("phone interview") with basic questions from a team member. Clearing this leads to the main process:
- 2-3 in-person technical interviews focused on coding and system design
- A meet-and-greet with the wider team
- Our goal is to complete the main process within one week
Our take
xAI is Elon Musk's venture into the world of artificial intelligence, and like all things Musk, it's going big. Its setting out to build AI that helps humanity understand the universe and its starting with Grok, its conversational AI chatbot already integrated into X (formerly Twitter). With access to real-time data and a powerful ecosystem of Musk-led companies, xAI is certainly pushing towards artificial general intelligence at serious scale.
Like all bold ventures, xAI has faced its share of controversy, from questions about regulation to the overlap across Musk's businesses. But fans are still seeing the bigger picture: an interconnected tech ecosystem where AI, social media, and space exploration feed into one another.
Recently, the company made headlines with its massive "Colossus" supercomputer project, powered by tens of thousands of Nvidia GPUs. While the data center's temporary power setup has faced environmental scrutiny, the scale of ambition is certainly undeniable. From launching tap-to-pay features on X to building one of the most powerful AI training systems on Earth, xAI is moving fast.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Funding (last 2 of 4 rounds)
Jul 2025
$5bn
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Dec 2024
$6bn
SERIES C
Total funding: $17.1bn
Company benefits
- Health and wellness: Comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, vision, and disability coverage
- Life and family: Life and AD&D insurance and fertility benefits to ensure our team’s well-being and peace of mind
- Flexible vacation: We work hard but avoid burn out. Take time off when you need it
- Visa sponsorship: We support international talent with visa sponsorship to join our team
- 401(k) plan: Retirement savings plan to secure your financial future
Company HQ
Downtown, Burlingame, CA
Leadership
Elon Musk
(Founder)Founder, Chairman, CEO, and CTO of SpaceX. CEO and Product Architect of Tesla. Chairman and CTO of X Corp, founder of the Boring Company, co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI, and president of the Musk Foundation.
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